Public Liability Claim

Every occupier of land or buildings, whether it's a home, shop, office, leisure club, park or factory, has a duty to care for visitors' safety. If you have an accident that isn't your fault in a public place, then you may be entitled to claim public liability compensation.

The most common type of public liability claim is for a slip or trip. These can be caused by spillages that leave indoor floors slippery, obstructions or badly kept paths or roads. To get public liability compensation, you will have to show that the organisation responsible for maintaining the property or outside space was negligent.

For example, you can make a public liability claim against a shop or bank if you slip on water left on the floor. If your accident is on council-owned property, such as a public footpath or a school, then you can make a public liability claim against the local authority. However, if your injury happened on public property during the course of your employment, then you can make a public liability claim against your employer.

You may even be able to claim under public liability regulations if your accident happened in a private home, for example, if you fell on dangerous or badly-lit steps or were hit by a falling roof tile. The householder, or landlord, may have insurance that covers them for such incidents.